Nationwide Arena Pregame Guide
Columbus Blue Jackets · Columbus, OH
Nationwide Arena sits in Columbus's Arena District with over 15,000 parking spaces within a ten-minute walk across surface lots and garages, bookable in advance or bought on the day — and no tailgating policy. Bags are not permitted at all, with three exceptions: medical bags, diaper bags, and clutches no larger than 8 by 5 by 1 inch, all X-rayed through a designated screening line. Entry is at the McConnell Boulevard and Front Street entrances.
Tips & Fan Reports
Over 15,000 spaces sit within ten minutes on foot, so parking is rarely the problem in the Arena District.
Entry is at McConnell Boulevard or Front Street — those are the two doors.
The route in differs by direction: Neil Avenue off I-670, or Front Street off I-70.
An 8 by 5 by 1 inch clutch is the only bag most people can bring, and it still goes through the X-ray line.
Where to Go Before the Game
The Arena District lots and garages
Over 15,000 parking spaces sit within a ten-minute walk of the arena across surface lots and garages, available to buy in advance or on the day of the event.
Known for 15,000+ spaces · 10-minute walk · Advance or day-of
The McConnell Boulevard and Front Street entrances
The two named ways into the arena. Anyone carrying a permitted clutch, medical or diaper bag goes through the designated X-ray screening line at entry.
Known for Two entrances · X-ray screening line
Nationwide Boulevard
The street the arena fronts, reached from I-670 West via the Neil Avenue exit, or from I-70 East via the Front Street exit and north on Front Street.
Known for Arena frontage · Neil Ave from I-670 · Front St from I-70
Rules to Know
What Nationwide Arena allows, and what it does not.
- Bags are not permitted, except medical bags, diaper bags, or clutches no larger than 8" x 5" x 1", which are X-rayed via a designated screening line.
- Entry is at the McConnell Boulevard and Front Street entrances.
- Over 15,000 parking spaces are within a ten-minute walk of the arena, in surface lots and parking garages. Parking is available for advance purchase and on the day of the event.
- From I-71 south, take I-670 west, exit at Neil Avenue, turn left onto Neil Avenue and left onto Nationwide Blvd. From I-71 north, take I-70 east to the Front St. exit, turn left at the intersection, north on Front Street, then left onto Nationwide Blvd.
- Guest services can be reached on 614-246-2000.
- The arena publishes no tailgating policy.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
Bags are generally prohibited; medical bags, diaper bags, and clutches no larger than 8 x 5 x 1 inches are permitted.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Outside food and beverages are prohibited at Nationwide Arena.
- A card or a phone wallet
Nationwide Arena is cashless for tickets, concessions, and merchandise and accepts debit and credit cards.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
Blue Jackets tickets use a mobile barcode in the team app or My Blue Jackets Account for entry at Nationwide Arena.
- A coat for the walk in
January lows average 21°F between the lot and the door at Nationwide Arena.
- A poncho for the walk in, not an umbrella
Umbrellas are on Nationwide Arena's prohibited list, and April averages 4.0 inches of rain.
Columbus Blue Jackets Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Columbus Blue Jackets gear for the ultimate tailgate.
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How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Pregame
Nationwide Arena official site: Directions & Parking, A to Z Guide, and What to Expect
- Venue policies
Current Nationwide Arena and Columbus Blue Jackets policy, accessibility, parking, and mobile-ticket pages reviewed for Blue Jackets game-day policies.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals